Tag Archives: Travel

Diamond darters
Shad dart jig heads painted in various color schemes. The Swarovski crystal is attached to the head of the jig and reflects light under the ice to attract fish to the lure. This will help set you apart from your competition on the ice. Comes with glow eyes. Available in size 8, 10, & 12 hooks. Made right here in Wisconsin. ($1.50/2-pack)tylers-tackle.com

Finicky Fooler
Forget pulling, get reeling! That’s the slogan and philosophy behind this product. It’s designed to use with your favorite rod and reel with an indicator flag like a tip-up. That way when the fish shows up you can fight them with your pole rather than simply pulling on the line. With multiple resistance settings, including extremely light, you can target different species with a simple tweak. Two flag colors. Made right here in Wisconsin. ($29.99)finickyfooler.com

Beam bender with all new arrow
Attaches to all major brands of fish finders and flashers to enhance your underwater viewing capability. 4-6 times the viewing diameter of using only in the vertical position. Allows you to find more fish and follow active schools to increase the number of fish you put on the ice. The arrow shows you which direction the camera is pointed so you know where to drill your next hole. ($14.99)beambender.com

Salomon escape 5 grip ski & prolink access binding
Designed with recreational cross-country skiers in mind. Waxless grip allows for maximum control and easy maintenance. Low Heel-Toe camber and touring binding for easy, secure kick and a smooth glide. Core is Densolite 1000 for lightweight strength. Mid-length skis with S-cut for use in any conditions. ($239.00)wheelandsprocket.com

GoPro Fetch dog harness
Calling all dog lovers. Ever wonder what your dog is seeing as they explore the landscape? Or maybe you want to capture that moment just as they flush a bird? If so, here is the perfect after Christmas present for your pet. Made with two mounting locations for different perspectives. Adjustable to fit most dogs. Material designed to let your pup get wet and dirty (as if you could stop them, right?). Attach your camera and you’re ready to go. Tether included so you don’t lose it. ($39.99)gopro.com

Neos-navigator 5 gray winter boots
Insulated overboot designed to be worn over shoes and hiking boots, or they can be paired with felt liners and insoles to wear like a traditional boot. Either way they are versatile and designed for winter adventures. Incredibly lightweight with great traction. Available in six sizes. Rated for well below zero even with Crocs and wool socks. Made right here in Wisconsin. ($150.99)wolfsongwear.com

The Time is Now to Prepare for this Delicious HobbyThoughts from a Bee Keeper

By: Jim Servi

“Bees are disappearing!” Numerous reports, studies, and newspaper headlines have been declaring in recent years to the shock and dismay of many. It doesn’t take an expert to know what catastrophic effects that could have on our agricultural industries and the native plants and flowers that bees pollinate. Luckily, the number of hobby bee keepers is on the rise and it’s relatively easy to get started. “I really enjoy bee keeping,” explained second-year bee keeper Kevin Staus. “I am a curious person and always looking for new, challenging hobbies. Some form of farming always intrigued me and currently this is the only farming that fits my budget and time schedule.”

To get started, the first thing is to learn as much as you can. Numerous books and articles can point you in the correct direction, as can joining a local beekeeping association, but nothing beats tagging along with a bee keeper. Chances are there is someone in your county more than willing to share their expertise. Spring is the best time to start your operation, allowing your bees plenty of time to build a durable hive, which means the best time to start planning is now. Location is an important consideration. Fortunately, with abundant agriculture here in Wisconsin and most farmers more than willing to let you locate a hive on their property, a couple calls or knocks is all it should take. There are also numerous urban beekeeping programs for those living in cities. “The most surprising thing I learned is how docile the bees can be if you handle then slowly and gently,” Staus said, explaining how getting stung is rare. “The only time I have been stung or when they have tried to sting me is when I rushed things and basically deserved it.”

“If you decide that this is really what you want to do, find a local reputable bee supplier,” Staus recommended. “This will ensure that the bees you get are from a quality source.” One hive and bees, generally a queen with a swarm of worker bees, will cost approximately $200-$400 to get started. Your local supplier can also help you with any local ordinances and state reporting requirements, along with the essential equipment. A bee suit, gloves, smoker, and smoker fuel are the minimum tools required and costs roughly $160, although you may need fencing with an electric fencer if you are in bear country.

Once your hive is established, it’s important to keep your bees healthy. Initially, bees require feed syrup in the spring and fall when there are no natural food supplies available. Monitoring occurs throughout the summer. Although rare, you may need to treat for mites, other parasites, or diseases. Late summer and early fall are a bee keeper’s favorite time of year. This is when they can reap their reward and harvest the honey. However, there is a note of caution on harvesting honey the first year. “My bee supplier always told me not to count on any honey from a brand-new hive as the bees need to make all the wax comb which takes a great amount of energy. The bees will reuse the comb year after year so once it is made, they can spend their energy on honey production,” Staus said. “This actually was true for me. My first year I did not get any honey for my consumption but was able to collect in the second year.” The last thing any bee keeper wants to do is harm their hive, plus waiting an extra year from honey only makes the taste buds grow fonder. Finally, after honey harvest, it’s important to winterize the hive properly to help the bees survive the unpredictable Wisconsin winters. With your bees tucked in for the winter, you can then call yourself a bee keeper.

The Forever Changed Photo Contest will be back in 2018! Which means, we’re now accepting photos for January for the Forever Changed 2018 Photo Contest. Photos will be collected throughout the remainder of December and I’ll begin posting them in early January.

The winner will receives a 2019 Calendar of the 2018 Monthly Photo Winners, a $50 gift card of their choice* and an autographed copy of Forever Changed. If there are any other sponsors that are interested in contributing to the prize, please let me know.

To participate in the 2018 photo contest, send your pictures to jimservi10@gmail.com with the title of your picture and your name. Photos without titles will not be accepted.

This photo contest is focused on the great outdoors, recreation, travel, adventure, and the beauty of day-to-day life. Please avoid selfies, family photos, and such.

Monthly winners will advance to the final contest to be held in December 2018 for a chance to win the grand prize and have their photograph featured on this website.

As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” But, in truth it is really more than that. Good pictures makes you stop and smile, while great pictures make you stop and realize how truly great life really is. And that feeling is priceless.

Stay tuned to get your regular dose of that peaceful feeling.

Rules:

Photos must be your originals. Cropping is okay but no photo-shopping.

You must be the original photographer and cannot submit someone else’s photo.

Only one photograph per person can be submitted each month. If you’ve won a monthly contest, you can no longer submit pictures.

*Choice will be from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church’s scrip program which includes a wide variety of selections.

Disclaimer: By submitting your picture for this photo contest, you are authorizing this website to post your picture here and use it for promotional purposes, including the 2019 calendar.